[Diagnostic relevance of saliva analysis in parotid tumors]

The stimulated parotid saliva of 32 patients with unilateral parotid tumours was analyzed with respect to flow rate, protein and IgA content, amylase, kallikrein and peroxidase activities, as well as protein patterns after application of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The values obtained were compared with those measured in the saliva of the contralateral healthy side. None of the parameters investigated yielded differences that could be relevant for the clinical diagnosis of parotid tumours.